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By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone or text message via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 877-322-9754. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.

The Importance of a Strong Support System

December 4, 2017

The Importance of a Strong Support System

Think back. When was the last time you asked for advice or confided in someone? How did that conversation affect you? Perhaps you felt comforted, or more capable of solving the problem you needed to address.

It’s important to surround yourself with positive and trustworthy people who can walk through your triumphs and struggles with you. They should be encouraging, care about your life goals, and have your best interests at heart. When you have that kind of support system, you’ll be more likely to reach your goals and persevere through hardship. But these relationships have to be maintained to reach their full benefit.

Here are some steps you can take to recognize and grow your supportive relationships.

Identify your support system

To identify the supportive people in your life, consider:

How do you feel when you talk to this person?

Do they take your feelings and needs into account?

Is the advice they give based on your well-being?

Do they tell you tough truths when you need to hear them?

Do they celebrate your triumphs with you?

Do they encourage you to be better than you were yesterday?

Have they opened possibilities for you that you didn’t realize existed?

Ask yourself these questions about your friends, coworkers, and the people who regularly advise you. You’ll start to see a pattern emerge for each person, and you might discover that some people are more supportive than others. This doesn’t mean you should abandon your other connections—it just means you should put extra effort into the ones who do support you.

Your supporters don’t have to be perfect—no one is. But they should have qualities you admire, knowledge that is beneficial to you, the ability to listen and understand, and empathy. These traits are key to great supporters.

Grow your supportive relationships

Support is a two-way street. Once you identify the main supporters in your life, do your best to build those relationships. Connect with them regularly and keep them updated about your life.

Invite them into your decisions and explain your reasoning—then ask for their honest opinion. Be open to feedback, even if it’s not always what you want to hear. The best supporters will tell you tough truths and help you see your options from different perspectives.

It’s also important to be open to advice. Your support system can’t help you if you don’t consider what they have to say. When making big decisions, talk to members of your support system who have knowledge in areas where you’re unfamiliar.

For example, if you’re thinking about making a substantial financial purchase, you should talk to someone with expertise in financial matters. We all have unique knowledge based on our own life experiences. You can use the knowledge of your supporters to make better decisions.

Life is better when you don’t have to go it alone. That’s why you should work to identify the people in your life who support you and focus on strengthening those relationships. When you do, you may find that you can go farther than you ever thought possible on your own.

About the Author

Kelsey Tressler is an award-winning writer and journalist with years of experience within the healthcare and education space. She has contributed to dozens of periodicals, publications and blogs, and she specializes in providing well-researched and thought-provoking content.

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The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Ultimate Medical Academy.

The UMA Blog covers information and advice for employers and workers at the intersection of healthcare, education and employment. Our contributors are intimately familiar with a wide range of subjects covering professional development, career advancement, workplace politics, healthcare industry specific topics, personal finance, education and so much more. Learn what you need to get ahead and stay ahead.

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By clicking the Request Info button, you agree to be contacted by phone or text message via automated systems by Ultimate Medical Academy about your education at the phone numbers you provided above, including any wireless number(s). You are not obligated to agree to automated contact to enroll; instead, you may call us at 888-205-2510. Note that even non-automated calls are recorded for quality assurance.